How do I grow peppers all summer?

Hi there I bought a packet of seeds to grow peppers and a couple of propegators.
I would like start them off from seeds and then re pot them in some planters so they grow all summer..

1) Do I start planting them on a weekly basis so they grow staggered throughout the summer....?

2) Do I need the propegators... or can I grow them straight from pots.

3) How can I keep them snail and ant free without polluting the peppers.. (I currently use slug pellets around the edges of my pots in the garden to keep the snails off my plants).

4) How many seeds at a time should I sow?

Any other advice would be helpful..

Are there resources on here that give you step by step guides of things you should be doing when you plant them for comsumption all summer?

Thanks :O)

 

:thmb:Hi there again
I tried some peppers last year. They take a long time to grow and although I got a crop it was late and they were very bitter so we didn't use them. So I'm TRYING to start them earlier this year, I have a few seedlings emerging in my seed tray at the moment. As they don't grow quickly I can't see them being the sort of thing you would station sow (think that's what it's called). I'm pretty sure they need it quite warm to germinate so in a greenhouse or warm window cill I think (gosh it's the blind leading the blind) but I'd get them started soon and hope for a better summer.

Cheers
Sheelagh

 

Chillies really need to be started in Late january or early February and they still need a good hot, sunny summer to get the best results. Here is a useful website http://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/growing-chillies.php
You should be able to pick up some small plants from the garden centre for this season if you really are keen to grow them. Good luck.

 

Seed needs to be sown Feb or early March, so I think it would be better if you bought plants now. ut the seed in a Tupperware box, in the fridge, it will probably be fine to use next year.

I just sow one lot of peppers (we are talking Sweet Peppers, yes?) and they crop all Summer

Although I don't think you will get much of a crop, if any, if they are outside, unless you are "down South" (Putting your location into your Profile would help, thanks.)

 

Sorry for duplication, I was slower typing than you lot!

 

I agree with the others Beginner. Peppers need to be planted early as they need a long growing season. I would keep the seeds and plant late January.You can buy a nice plant or two at the garden centre.
You don't need to plant peppers in succession. They will just keep coming by themselves.
Unless you live somewhere quite warm they are best grown in a greenhouse or on the windowcill. They wii do fine there. Good luck.

 

I've obviuosly started my seeds way too late Kirsten as they're only just coming through. Will abandon attempt and pick up some baby plants somewhere and start earlier next year. Got it wrong Again!!!!!
Thanks

Sheelagh

 

I will go out and buy some plant, what size should I buy?

I hear we are going to have a really hot summer so the timing might be right for growing these, by the way I live in Jersey so we do actually have milder temperature and generally more sun.. :O)

 

"what size should I buy?"

If there is a choice I would tend to buy smaller, stockier, plants - taller ones may have been forced, or been lying around the garden centre for a while, and the roots may have completely filled the pots (stressing the plants). Have a look at the bottom of the pots, if the roots are "just there" that's good, time to pot on, if there is a mass of roots the plant has been in the pot too long already ...

But IME you don't get much of a choice ...

 

Not wrong - just feedback. :D

I keep telling myself that I make no mistakes - just learn lots of ways NOT to do things in the future!:wink:

 

Thanks Hec.

Think i'll go along that line of thought in future.

Sheelagh:gnthb:

 

If you have small plants just coming shelaghm, you could try keeping them going and overwinter them (providing next winter is less severe) . All chillies are perennial so given the right protection and light levels they can give you an early start next year, try the same with any young chilli plants that you buy as well, good luck.